The EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) marked Gender Equality Week 2025 with a key debate on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “My Voice, My Choice,” which calls for safe and accessible abortion across the European Union. The event brought together campaigners, legal experts, Members of the European Parliament, and representatives from the European Commission to address the urgent challenge of ensuring reproductive rights and solidarity for all women in Europe.
The EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) marked Gender Equality Week 2025 with a pivotal debate on banning conversion practices in the European Union. The event brought together voices from EU institutions, civil society, LGBTIQ+ organisations and policy experts to address the urgent challenge of eradicating conversion practices and ensuring the protection and dignity of all LGBTIQ+ people across Europe.
The EESC hosted a high-level conference on 13 November 2025, entitled “Building the workforce of tomorrow: inclusive participation and quality jobs for a competitive Europe.” The event brought together EU policymakers, social partners, researchers, and civil society to discuss the urgent challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s labour market, with a focus on two flagship reports.
As the European Union approaches a pivotal review of its social policy agenda, a new report requested by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) offers a detailed snapshot of the state of play for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). The findings highlight both significant advances and persistent challenges as the EU strives to meet its ambitious 2030 social targets.
At its September 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion on the EU Employment Guidelines, urging Member States to accelerate efforts on inclusion, skills, and productivity to ensure a fair and competitive labour market for all.
At its September 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a pioneering opinion on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data in rare disease diagnosis and treatment. It sets out a comprehensive vision for harnessing digital innovation to improve the lives of rare disease patients.
At its September 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a forward-looking opinion on achieving the EU’s “Zero Deaths” goal in workplace health and safety. It sets out a comprehensive vision for occupational safety and health (OSH) in a rapidly changing world of work.
The EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) organised a hearing on "Accessible and Affordable Housing for All: Ensuring Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the EU". It brought together voices from the EU institutions, civil society, disability organisations and housing experts to address the urgent challenge of affordable and accessible housing across Europe.
Introduced by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in 2024, the Youth Test is now being recognised as a pioneering method for integrating youth voices into policy-making. A recent roundtable in Bratislava brought together young leaders, policymakers and civil society to examine how the Youth Test can be meaningfully integrated into national decision-making processes.
At its July 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a landmark opinion calling for a comprehensive EU strategy to support, protect and empower civil society. The opinion, requested by the European Commission, outlines a blueprint for a more structured, inclusive and resilient civil dialogue framework across the EU.
